HARVEST PSALM

My ancestor was our father Abraham who left his home and family
Israel a homeless refugee who settled in a foreign land.

There they became slaves and cried to God
they were treated badly but you saw their misery.

When they went they were few, but you made them a powerful nation
in your love you gave them a rich and fertile country,

so they brought you the first fruits from their land
tokens of harvest they offered to you.

Centuries later it's the same, we bring you our work
we still need a harvest thanksgiving to bring you the fruit of our toil,

though I can't live off my garden
my allotment won't make me a farmer like my ancestors.

I live in an urban society
the symbols of harvest belong to the country;

others work for my food, I no longer live close to the earth
my health and welfare depend on people I do not know.

Nevertheless, my God, I bring you my life
bless the toil of my hands and my brain;

you have brought me also to an abundant heritage
I offer you a token of the harvest I share in every day.

Notes:

Similar to my psalm used on a Tyne-Tees TV Harvest service from Gibside Chapel, Gateshead 1989.

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